A problem on triangle and it's perpendicular bisectors.

In summary: It must be right, you found the same answer by two different methods and Haruspex found it by a third method.
  • #1
agoogler
81
0

Homework Statement



I'm trying to solve the following problem :

In △ABC, coordinates of B are (−3,3). Equation of the perpendicular bisector of side AB is 2x+y−7=0. Equation of the perpendicular bisector of side BC is 3x−y−3=0. Mid point of side AC is E(11/2,7/2). Find AC2.


Homework Equations



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The Attempt at a Solution



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By solving 3x−y−3=0 and 2x+y−7=0 I find that the intersection of perpendicular bisectors is at (2,3) .
Then using the two points (2,3) and (11/2,7/2), I get the equation of perpendicular bisector of AC as y=x/7+19/7.
So the slope of AC is -7 and then using point slope form , y−7/2=−7(x−11/2) Thus the equation of line AC is y=42−7x .
Similarly equation of line BC is y=2−x/3 .
So AC and BC intersect at (6,0).
By using the fact that E is the midpoint of AC, I find Co-ordinates of A as (5,7).
So the distance between A and C is 5√2, and AC2=50.
But this answer is wrong and the correct answer is 74 ( I checked the answer sheet) .
What have I done wrong ?
 
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  • #2
I don't know what went wrong before but here is a slightly different method.

Step 1. Find A using B and the gradient of AB.
Step 2. Find AC^2

I forget about E, E means only A is required.
 
  • #3
verty said:
I don't know what went wrong before but here is a slightly different method.

Step 1. Find A using B and the gradient of AB.
Step 2. Find AC^2

I forget about E, E means only A is required.
I don't understand. How can I find AC2 after finding gradient of AB ?
 
  • #4
agoogler said:
I don't understand. How can I find AC2 after finding gradient of AB ?

Your goal is to find A and then AC^2. To find A, find the midpoint of AB then use the midpoint formula.
 
  • #5
agoogler said:
So the distance between A and C is 5√2, and AC2=50.
I agree with your answer, through a slightly different route.
O is the circumcentre, so OC=OB = 5. OE2 = 25/2, so CE2 = 25/2 by Pythagoras.
 
  • #6
verty said:
Your goal is to find A and then AC^2. To find A, find the midpoint of AB then use the midpoint formula.

I tried and got A as (5,7) . Is that right?
Then I get C as (6,0) so AC2=50.
 
  • #7
agoogler said:
I tried and got A as (5,7) . Is that right?
Then I get C as (6,0) so AC2=50.

It must be right, you found the same answer by two different methods and Haruspex found it by a third method. There must have been no mistake originally.
 

FAQ: A problem on triangle and it's perpendicular bisectors.

1. What is a perpendicular bisector in a triangle?

A perpendicular bisector is a line that divides a side of a triangle into two equal parts and is perpendicular to that side. It also passes through the midpoint of the side.

2. How many perpendicular bisectors does a triangle have?

A triangle has three sides, therefore it has three perpendicular bisectors. Each side has its own perpendicular bisector.

3. What is the importance of perpendicular bisectors in a triangle?

Perpendicular bisectors are important in a triangle because they help in finding the circumcenter, which is the center of a circle that passes through all three vertices of the triangle. They also help in determining the properties of a triangle, such as its angles and sides.

4. Can a perpendicular bisector be outside a triangle?

No, a perpendicular bisector must pass through the midpoint of a side and be perpendicular to that side, therefore it can only be inside or on the triangle.

5. How can we use perpendicular bisectors to solve problems in a triangle?

Perpendicular bisectors can be used to find the circumcenter, which can then help in finding the radius of the circumcircle and the measure of angles in the triangle. They can also be used to prove the properties of a triangle, such as the congruence of angles or sides.

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